Chaplaincy
Rabbi Melinda Michelson-Carr
Often people get quite confused when they hear the word
“chaplain”:
“Oy Vey – A Jewish one?!”
“Yes! And a Liberal Jewish one at that!”
The concept is new to some of us and the word itself evokes
a variety of images, thoughts and feelings … I would be
interested to know what they are for you!
Part of the chaplain’s role is to support people spiritually,
religiously and emotionally.
We “journey with” people in their:
• search for meaning
• need to express feelings
• integration of changing identities
• reflection on relationships: with God, other people
and themselves
• questioning about life
• marking of joyous, painful or challenging life events
in a religiously, spiritually and/or culturally meaningful way
A chaplain often facilitates these moments and processes.
As Liberal Judaism chaplain, I am able to offer support, in
a non-judgemental and confidential way, to LJ members and friends,
rabbinic colleagues and LJ staff and I can be contacted through
Liberal Judaism on 0207 580 1663 or by email on: melinda@liberaljudaism.org
My work is with doroteinu – all of our LJ generations.
This encompasses:
• co-ordinating student chaplaincy, nurturing and establishing
an LJ presence
• offering our students pastoral support
• working in hospitals, hospices, retirement and care
homes
• working with prisons
• working with schools
I am currently Progressive Jewish Chaplain at the North London
Hospice and am part of a Multi-Faith Team. Outside of LJ, I
am Jewish Chaplain at Barts and The London NHS Trust where I
am also part of a Multi-Faith Team.
Along with others, I am developing Progressive Jewish Chaplaincy,
giving Liberal Judaism a voice both within the Jewish and wider
chaplaincy world. Building LJ’s relationships with relevant
care organizations and chaplaincy training institutes both inside
and outside of the Jewish world, I give formal and informal
input regarding Progressive Jewish Chaplaincy and Jewish Chaplaincy.
This encompasses an educational input, for instance, in the
training of nurses in the spiritual and religious care of patients,
their families and friends. As a representative of Liberal Judaism
I sit on The President’s Forum of Jewish Care and on the
Visitation Committee which, under the auspices of the United
Synagogue, co-ordinates Jewish chaplaincy.
“We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe:
You sanctify us by Your commandments, and enjoin us concerning
the duty of helping (supporting) our fellow human beings.”
(Siddur Lev Chadash p.550)
|
